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8598    J. Agric. Food Chem. 2006, 54, 8598−8603




                        Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of the Freeze-Dried
                           Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai)
                         ALEXANDER G. SCHAUSS,*,† XIANLI WU,‡,§ RONALD L. PRIOR,‡ BOXIN OU,⊥
                               DINESH PATEL,| DEJIAN HUANG,3 AND JAMES P. KABABICK#
                           Natural and Medicinal Products Research, AIMBR Life Sciences, 4117 South Meridian,
                       Puyallup, Washington 98373, Agriculture Research Service, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center,
                      U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1120 Marshall Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, Department of
                        Physiology and Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham,
                                   Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, Brunswick Laboratories, 6 Thatcher Lane,
                      Wareham, Massachusetts 02571, Integrated Biomolecule Corporation, 2005 E. Innovation Park Drive,
                          Tucson, Arizona 85755, Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Chemistry,
                             National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore, and Flora Research,
                                      32158 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675



              Euterpe oleraceae is a large palm tree indigenous to the Amazon River and its tributaries and estuaries
              in South America. Its fruit, known as acai, is of great economic value to native people. In this study,
              a standardized freeze-dried acai fruit pulp/skin powder was used for all analyses and tests. Among
              many findings, anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and other flavonoids were found to
              be the major phytochemicals. Two ACNs, cyandin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were found
              to be predominant ACNs; three others were also found as minor ACNs. The total content of ACNs
              was measured as 3.1919 mg/g dry weight (DW). Polymers were found to be the major PACs. The
              concentration of total PACs was calculated as 12.89 mg/g DW. Other flavonoids, namely, homoorientin,
              orientin, isovitexin, scoparin, and taxifolin deoxyhexose, along with several unknown flavonoids, were
              also detected. Resveratrol was found but at a very low concentration. In addition, components including
              fatty acids, amino acids, sterols, minerals, and other nutrients were analyzed and quantified. Total
              polyunsaturated fatty acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid, and total saturated fatty acids contributed
              to 11.1%, 60.2%, and 28.7% of total fatty acid. Oleic acid (53.9%) and palmitic acid (26.7%) were
              found to be the two dominant fatty acids. Nineteen amino acids were found; the total amino acid
              content was determined to be 7.59% of total weight. The total sterols accounted for 0.048% by weight
              of powder. The three sterols B-sitosterol, campesterol, and sigmasterol were identified. A complete
              nutrient analysis is also presented. Microbiological analysis was also performed.

              KEYWORDS: Euterpe oleraceae; acai; anthocyanin; proanthocyanidin; flavonoid; resveratrol; nutrient;
              sterol; fatty acid; amino acid; microbiological test; shelf life

INTRODUCTION                                                              Colombia, and Suriname (1). A juice prepared from the fruit,
                                                                          popularly called “acai” in Brazil, is consumed in a variety of
  Euterpe oleraceae Martius is a large palm tree indigenous to
                                                                          beverages and food preparations. In addition to its economic
South America. It grows abundantly in the Amazon estuary and
                                                                          value, different parts of Euterpe oleraceae were used as folk
on floodplains, in swamps, and in upland regions. Also known
as the Cabbage palm, Euterpe oleraceae bears a dark purple,               medicine by native people. For example, the fruit furnishes a
berry-like fruit, clustered into bunches, that serves as a major          dark green oil used in rural medicine, principally as an
food source for native and lower class people of Brazil,                  antidiarrheal agent (2). Recently, much attention has been paid
                                                                          to the antioxidant capacity of its fruit (also called acai) and its
                                                                          possible role as a “functional food” or food ingredient (3-5).
  * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: alex@aibmr.com.
Phone: 253-286-2888. Fax: 253-286-2451.                                   However, the knowledge of its phytochemical and nutrient
  † AIMBR Life Sciences.                                                  composition is still very limited, which put its health claims
  ‡ U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  § University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.                          and possible role as a “functional food” in question.
  ⊥ Brunswick Laboratories.
  | Integrated Biomolecule Corporation.
                                                                             Some anthocyanins (ACNs) and several other flavonoids have
  3 National University of Singapore.                                     been reported in acai (6-9). Regarded as predominant phy-
  # Flora Research.                                                       tochemicals in acai, ACNs were believed to be the major
                                       10.1021/jf060976g CCC: $33.50 © 2006 American Chemical Society
                                                          Published on Web 10/07/2006
Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of Acai                                               J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006        8599

compounds that contributed to the overall antioxidant capacity               the experimental conditions were kept the same except that the
(9). But the contribution of the anthocyanins to the overall                 ionization was changed from positive mode to negative mode.
antioxidant capacities of the fruit were estimated to be only                   Proanthocyanidin Analysis. Freeze-dried acai powder (5 g) was
approximately 10%, which suggested that compounds that have                  extracted with solvent containing acetone, water, and acetic acid (70:
                                                                             29.5:0.5, v/v, AWA). This solution was further fractioned by Sephadex
yet to be identified are the major antioxidants in acai (3). Except
                                                                             LH-20 for proanthocyanidin analysis following the published method
for dietary antioxidants, other components and nutrient com-                 (12) for proanthocyanidin analysis.
position are also very important when we try to evaluate the                    Chromatographic analyses were performed on an HP 1100 series
possible role of acai as a “functional food”. However, our                   HPLC (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA) equipped with an autosampler/
knowledge of these is still not complete. In this paper, another             injector, DAD, fluorescence detector (FLD), which was also coupled
major objective was to provide information about other com-                  with an LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an API chamber,
ponents, as well as report on a more complete profile of its                 and an ESI source. Normal phase separation of proanthocyanidins was
nutrient composition than reported by others to date.                        performed on a 3.0 mm × 150 mm, 5.0 µm, Luna Silica column
   Last, microbiological and heavy metal analyses were per-                  (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA). Elution was performed using mobile
formed in an attempt to provide additional information related               phase A (dichloromethane/methanol/water/acetic acid; 82:14:2:2, v/v)
to safety issues of freeze-dried acai.                                       and mobile phase B (methanol/water/acetic acid; 96:2:2, v/v). The flow
                                                                             rate was 0.8 mL/min, and detection was set using FLD with excitation
                                                                             at 276 nm and emission at 316 nm. Gradient is described as follows:
MATERIALS AND METHODS                                                        0-17.6% B, 0-30 min; 17.6-30.7% B, 30-45 min; 30.7-87.8% B,
    Plant Material. Freeze-dried acai (Euterpe oleracea) was obtained        45-50 min. The proanthocyanidins were confirmed by their chromato-
from K2A LLC (OptiAcai, Provo, Utah). Prior to freeze drying, the            graphic patterns and the molecular weights obtained by FLD and MS
berries were obtained immediately within the harvesting areas in the         detector, respectively.
Amazon delta estuaries within kilometers of the freeze-drying facility          Resveratrol Analysis. A freeze-dried acai sample (1 g) was extracted
in Belem, Brazil. Within hours of harvesting, acai berries were frozen       with 20 mL of methanol. After the extract was centrifuged at 14 000
and stored at -20 °C until transferred for freeze drying. The freeze-        rpm at 4 °C for 5 min, the supernatant was used for resveratrol analysis.
dried acai powder was kept at -20 °C until analyzed.                         The analysis was carried out in a HP 1100 HPLC equipped with diode
    Chemicals and Standards. Phytochemical Analysis. Standards of            array detector and a Phenomenex Luna phenyl-hexyl column (250
3-O-β-glucosides of pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin,           mm × 4.6 mm) with prefilter. Elution was performed using mobile
petunidin, and malvidin (six mixed anthocyanin standard, HPLC grade)         phase A (water/acetonitrile/acetic acid; 89:9:2, v/v) and mobile phase
were obtained from Polyphenols Laboratories (Sandnes, Norway).               B (acetonitrile/water; 80:20, v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and
Resveratrol standard was purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, MO).               detection was set up at 280 nm using the DAD. The gradient is
Formic acid was purchased from Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Methanol,            described as follows: 0% B, 0-10 min; 0-40% B, 10-25 min; 40-
acetonitrile, methylene chloride, and acetic acid (HPLC grade) were          100% B, 25-32 min; 100% B, 32-35 min.
from Fisher (Fair Lawn, NJ). Sephadex LH-20 is product of Sigma                 Sterol Analysis. Quantitative analysis of sterols in acai freeze-dried
(St. Louis, MO).                                                             powder was carried out in a Varian 3400cx gas chromatograph with a
    QuantitatiVe Analysis of Sterols. Sterol standards were purchased        DB-5ms column (Varian, Palo Alto, CA) based on INA sterol method
from Sigma (St. Louis, MO). Hydrochloric acid, methanol, and other           109.001 (13).
reagents were obtained from Fisher (Fair Lawn, NJ).                             Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, and Nutrient Analysis. Fat was
    Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, and Nutrient Analysis. Standards of fatty      determined by the AOAC method (AOAC 933.05) (14). Fatty acids
acids were obtained from Nu-Check Prep (Elysian, MN). O-Phthalde-            were analyzed based on the AOAC method (AOAC 969.33) (14).
hyde was from Anresco (San Francisco, CA); amino acid standard               Analysis was carried out in an HP 5890 series 2 GC (Hewlett-Packard,
solution (2.5 µmol/mL), Brij 35 solution (30%, w/w), 2-mercaptoethanol       Palo Alto, CA) with a Supelco ST-2560 column (Supelco, Inc.,
(2-hydroxyethylmercaptan), L-norleucine, and ethylenediaminetetraace-        Bellefonte, PA). Cholesterol was tested in a HP 5890 series 2 GC
tic acid (EDTA) tetrasodium salt (dydrate) were from Sigma (St. Louis,       (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA) using an AOAC method (AOAC
MO). Potassium hydroxide (pellets), sodium hydroxide (pellets),              994.10) (14).
hydrocholoric acid (6 N volumetric solution), and boric acid were from          Protein was determined based on an AOAC method (AOAC 991.20)
Chempure (Bolivar, OH). Vitamins A, C, E, D, B1, B2, B3, B6, and             (14), and the measurement was conducted in a Kjeltc 2400 autosampler
B12, glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, folic acid, pantothenic   unit (Rose Scientific Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, CA). Amino acids were
acid, biotin, and inositol were from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO).          obtained by hydrolysis from protein by 6 N HCl and then analyzed by
Elemental ion solutions were from Absolute Standards (Hamden, CT).           ion-exchange chromatography. O-Phthaldehyde is used for postcolumn
    Microbiological Analysis. Lactose broth for aerobic organism             derivation. Analysis was carried out in Waters Alliance 2690 HPLC
culturing was from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO); reinforced clostrid-       equipped with Waters fluoroscence detector 474 (Waters Corporation,
ial agar for anaerobic organism culturing and enumeration was from           Milford, MA). A Hitachi L-7100 pump (Hitachi High Technologies
EM Science (Gibbstown, NJ). Petrifilm enumeration plates were from           America, San Jose, CA) was used for postcolumn derivation. An
3M Microbiology Products (St. Paul, MN).                                     interaction AA511 cation-exchange column (Pierce Biotechnology,
    Analysis of Anthocyanin and Other Flavonoids. Sample prepara-            Rockford, IL) with guard column was used to separate amino acids.
tion of anthocyanin and other flavonoid analysis followed the method         Elution was performed using mobile phase, and the detection was set
reported previously (10).                                                    at excitation 358 nm and emission 425 nm.
    Chromatographic analyses were performed on an HP 1100 series                Analysis of minerals was performed in a Perkin-Elmer ICP Optima
HPLC (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA) equipped with an autosampler/          4300 DV ICP-OES system (Perkin-Elmer Life And Analytical Sciences
injector and diode array detector (DAD). A 4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5.0              Inc., Wellesley, MA) according to the AOAC method (AOAC 984.27)
µm, Zorbax Stablebond analytical SB-C18 column (Agilent Technolo-            (14). Measurements of vitamin C (AOAC 967.22) (14), sugars (AOAC
gies, Rising Sun, MD) was used for separation. Elution was performed         980.13) (14), moisture (AOAC 926.08) (14), and ash (AOAC 945.46)
with mobile phase A (5% formic acid aqueous solution) and mobile             (14) were all based on AOAC methods. Heavy metal ion analysis was
phase B (methanol) using the gradient protocol previously decribed           performed by an Agilent HP-7500a ICP-MS (Agilent Technologies,
(10). Low-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry was performed            Palo Alto, CA) on a 5% HNO3 digested solution of elemental species
with an Esquire 3000 ion trap mass spectrometer (MS) (Bruker                 (1000 mg/100 mL). Analysis of retinol was based on a published
Daltoniks, Billerica, MA). The experimental conditions were the same         method (15).
as previously described (10). Anthocyanin identification was determined         Microbiological and Heavy Metal Analysis. Employing aseptic
following previous research (11). Quantification of anthocyanin fol-         techniques, we placed samples of freeze-dried acai in a sterile glass
lowed the procedure reported before (10). For other flavonoid analysis,      homogenizer tube with 5 mL of sterile water. Using a sterile
8600    J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006                                                                                         Schauss et al.

                                                                             Table 1. Identification and Concentration of Anthocyanins and Other
                                                                             Flavonoinds in Freeze-Dried Acai
                                                                             peak tR     MS              MS/MS                                       content
                                                                              no. (min) (m/z)             (m/z)                 compounds          (mg/g DWa)
                                                                                                                 Anthocyanins
                                                                               1     25.6   581            287           cyanidin 3-sambubioside      0.04
                                                                               2     26.7   449            287           cyanidin 3-glucoside         1.17
                                                                               3     29.4   595          449/287         cyanidin 3-rutinoside        1.93
                                                                               4     33.9     c              c           peonidin 3-glucoside         0.02
                                                                               5     36.6   609          463/301         peonidin 3-rutinoside        0.04
                                                                                                           total                                      3.19
                                                                                                           Other Flavonoids
                                                                               6     22.4   689   671/609/489/369 unknown                             b
                                                                               7     26.1   673   655/593/503/353 unknown                             b
                                                                               8     27.5   391     289/221/143       unknown                         b
                                                                               9     29.7   413     369/311/125       unknown                         b
                                                                              10     30.2   449     327/269/151       unknown                         b
                                                                              11     32.0   447     393/357/327       homoorientin                    b
                                                                              12     32.4   373         341           unknown                         b
Figure 1. Reverse phase HPLC chromatograms of freeze-dried acai               13     33.9   447   429/357/327/285 orientin                            b
detected at 520 nm (A) and 360 nm (B). Peak identification and their MS       14     36.2   431     341/311/283       unknown                         b
                                                                              15     39.1   449       269/151         taxifolin deoxyhexose           b
data are shown in Table 1.                                                    16     41.8   431     341/311/283       isovitexin                      b
                                                                              17     43.1   461 407/371/341/309/231 scoparin                          b
homogenizer beater, we crushed the berries to a pulp. Aliquots (1 mL)
of the crushed berry pulp were placed into sterile lactose broth solutions     a   Dry weight. b Not available. c Not determined.
and sterile reinforced clostridial agar solutions. The inoculated broth
and agar solutions were incubated for 24 h at 37 °C under aerobic and
anaerobic conditions, respectively. Following incubation, samples (1
mL) were plated onto growth-selective Petrifilm plates and spread in
accordance with the supplier’s instructions. Plates were subjected to
incubation in accordance with the supplier’s instruction. Enumeration
was performed under a low powered (3×) light microscope with a hand
held colony counter.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
   Identification and Quantification of Anthocyanins and
Other Flavonoids. Five ACNs were identified from freeze-
dried acai (Figure 1A). Of them, cyanidin 3-glucoside and
cyanidin 3-rutinoside were found to be the predominant ACNs.
Three minor ACNs, cyanidin 3-sambubioside, peonidin 3-glu-
coside, and peonidin 3-rutinoside, were also identified from acai.
Among these minor ACNs, cyanidin 3-sambubioside and
peonidin 3-glucoside were identified from acai for the first time.
The MS spectral data and content of individual ACNs are
presented in Table 1.
   Like other berries rich in ACNs showing high antioxidant
capacity (16), ACNs were believed to be the major antioxidant
in freeze-dried acai. Nevertheless, freeze-dried acai was found
to contain two major anthocyanins and their contents are much
lower compared with that in most other berries (17). In this
study, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were
found to be the major ACNs in freeze-dried acai, which agree
with three previous reports (3, 6, 8). Three minor ACNs, namely,
cyanidin 3-sambubioside, peonidin 3-glucoside, and peonidin
3-rutinoside, were detected in freeze-dried acai. But our results
were not in accordance with two recent papers. In one of them
(7), cyanidin 3-arabinoside and cyanidin 3-arabinosylarabinoside
were identified as predominant ACNs, whereas in the other
paper (9), only cyanidin 3-glucoside was found to be the
predominant ACN, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside was identified                 Figure 2. Chemical structures of anthocyanins in freeze-dried acai.
as a minor ACN. Considering the significant difference of these              content in freeze-dried acai was 3.19 mg/g DW. It turned out
ACN profiles of the plant materials, the results reported by these           to be lower than most other dark colored berries such as
two papers (7, 9) have to be questioned. They were probably                  blueberries, blackberries, or cranberries (17).
fruits either from other palm trees or other palm fruit varieties,              Chemical structures of these ACNs are presented in Figure
rather than Euterpe oleraceae Mart. Thus, it is possible that in             2. Twelve other flavonoid-like compounds were also detected
future study of acai, the ACN profile may be used as an                      in acai (Figure 1B); five of them were identified as homoori-
alternative way to determine the plant materials. The total ACN              entin, orientin, taxifolin deoxyhexose, isovitexin, and scoparin
Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of Acai                                              J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006               8601

                                                                         Table 3. Fatty Acids in Freeze-Dried Acai

                                                                                      fatty acids                   formula             content (%)
                                                                                                         Saturated Fatty Acids
                                                                              butynic                                  4:0                  <0.1
                                                                              caproic                                  6:0                  <0.1
                                                                              caprylic                                 8:0                  <0.1
                                                                              capric                                 10:0                   <0.1
                                                                              undecanoic                             11:0                   <0.1
                                                                              lauric                                 12:0                    0.1
                                                                              tridecanoic                            13:0                   <0.1
                                                                              myristic                               14:0                    0.2
                                                                              pentadecanoic                          15:0                   <0.1
                                                                              palmitic                               16:0                   24.1
                                                                              margaric                               17:0                    0.1
                                                                              stearic                                18:0                    1.6
                                                                              nonadecanoic                           19:0                   <0.1
Figure 3. Normal phase HPLC chromatograms of freeze-dried acai                eicosanoic                             20:0                   <0.1
detected by FLD with excitation at 276 nm and emission at 316 nm.             behenic                                22:0                   <0.1
                                                                              tricosanoic                            23:0                   <0.1
Table 2. Content of Proanthocyanidins in Freeze-Dried Acai                    lignoceric                             24:0                   <0.1
                                                                              total                                                         26.1
           proanthocyanidins               content (mg/g, DWa)
                                                                                                    Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
              monomers                             0.21                       tridecenoic                         13:1                      <0.1
              dimers                               0.30                       myristoleic                         14:1                      <0.1
              trimers                              0.25                       pentadecenoic                       15:1                      <0.1
              tetramers                            0.32                       palmitoleic                         16:1                       4.3
              pentamers                            0.31                       margaroleic                         17:1                       0.1
              hexamers                             0.52                       oleic                               18:1C                     56.2
              hepamers                             0.32                       elaidic                             18:1T                     <0.1
              octamers                             0.39                       gadoleic                            20:1                      <0.1
              nonamers                             0.64                       erucic                              22:1                      <0.1
              decamers                             0.34                       nervonic                            24:1                      <0.1
              polymers                             9.28                       total                                                         60.6
              total                               12.89                                         Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
                                                                              linoleic                         18:2                         12.5
  a   Dry weight.                                                             linolenic                        18:3                          0.8
                                                                              gamma linolenic                  18:3G                        <0.1
                                                                              eicosadienoic                    20:2                         <0.1
by comparing their MS data with that from a published paper                   eicosatrienoic                   20:3                         <0.1
(8) (Table 2). However, quantification of these compounds                     homogamma linolenic              20:3G                        <0.1
failed due to lack of standards.                                              arachidonic                      20:4                         <0.1
                                                                              eicosapentaenoic                 20:5                         <0.1
   Characterization and Quantification of Proanthocyani-                      docosadienoic                    22:2                         <0.1
dins. Proanthocyanidins (PACs) were found in acai as another                  docosahexaenoic                  22:6                         <0.1
group of polyphenolic compounds (3). In this study, proantho-                 total                                                         13.3
cyanidins were completely characterized and quantified in
freeze-dried acai for the first time. Freeze-dried acai was found
to contain monomers (epicatechin and catechin) and B type                Table 4. Analysis of Amino Acids from Freeze-Dried Acai.
procyanidins from dimers to polymers, and polymers were found
to be the major PACs in freeze-dried acai (Figure 3). The                                amino acids                              result (%)
content of each group of proanthocyanidins is summarized in                             aspartic acid                                0.83
Table 2. Significantly, the profile of proanthocyanidins in                             threonine                                    0.31
freeze-dried acai is very similar to that of the blueberry (12).                        serine                                       0.32
                                                                                        glutamic acid                                0.80
Proanthocyanidins have been found in most berries and have                              glycine                                      0.39
been found to possess strong antioxidant capacity, so they may                          alanine                                      0.46
contribute, at least partly, to overall in Vitro antioxidant capacity.                  valine                                       0.51
But being molecular compounds, in what forms they are                                   methionine                                   0.12
                                                                                        isoleucine                                   0.38
absorbed or metabolized remains largely unknown. Therefore,                             leucine                                      0.65
their in ViVo capacity as dietary antioxidants is still open to                         tyrosine                                     0.29
question.                                                                               phenylalanine                                0.43
   Identification of Resveratrol. Resveratrol has been found                            lysine                                       0.66
                                                                                        histidine                                    0.17
primarily in grape skin and reported to exhibit chemopreventive                         arginine                                     0.42
properties against cancer (18, 19). Freeze-dried acai contained                         proline                                      0.53
trans-resveratrol. However, the concentration is only 1.1 µg/g,                         hydroxyproline                              <0.01
which is probably too low to show actual chemopreventive                                cystine                                      0.18
                                                                                        tryptophan                                   0.13
effects, although this too remains an open question.
   Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, Sterols, and Nutrient Analysis.                            total                                        7.59
Fatty acids, amino acids, sterols, heavy metal analysis, and a
complete nutrient analysis of freeze-dried acai are reported in          are evaluated, the composition of other components and nutrients
Tables 3-6, respectively. When the health benefits of a food             except for phytochemicals are analyzed. Nutrients
8602      J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006                                                                               Schauss et al.

Table 5. Sterols in Freeze-Dried Acai                                     Table 7. Microbiological and Heavy Metal Analysis of Freeze-Dried
                                                                          Acai
                                                      concentration
                    sterols                            (mg/g DWa)                          analyte                       result           unit
              β-sitosterol                                0.44                   Escherichia coli/coliform               <1               cfu/g
              campesterol                                <0.03                       (AOAC 991.14)
              sigmasterol                                 0.04                   Salmonella (AOAC 989.13)                - ve             +/-
              total                                        0.48                  Staphylococcus aureus                   <1               cfu/g
                                                                                     (AOAC 2000.15)
  a
                                                                                 yeast and mold (AOAC 997.02)            a                cfu/g
      Dry weight.                                                                total aerobic (AOAC 990.12)             51600            cfu/g
                                                                                                          Heavy Metals
Table 6. Nutrient Analysis of Freeze-Dried Acai                                  lead                                    36.77            ppb
                                                                                 arsenic                                 9.51             ppb
                                                               unit per          cadmium                                 9.41             ppb
             anayltes                    result               100 g DWa          mercury                                 1.58             ppb
                                 Label Analytes
        calories                        533.9                               a   Too numerous to count.
        calories from fat               292.6
        total fat                       32.5                      g
        saturated fat                   8.1                       g          Microbiological and Heavy Metal Analysis. Microbiological
        cholesterol                     13.5                      Mg      and heavy metal analysis of freeze-dried acai is presented in
        sodium                          30.4                      Mg      Table 7. This information is highly related to safety and stability
        total carbohydrate              52.2                      g
        dietary fiber                   44.2                      g       issues, and we hope this will be of help to those who are
        sugars                          1.3                       g       interested in developing products from acai.
        protein (F ) 6.25)              8.1                       g
        vitamin A                       1002                      IU         Conclusion. The phytochemical and nutrient composition
        vitamin C                       <0.1                      Mg      of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. has been investigated in this study.
        calcium                         260.0                     Mg
                                                                          Anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and other
        iron                            4.4                       Mg
                                                                          flavonoids were found to be the major phytochemicals in freeze-
                              Contributing Analytes
        moisture                          3.4                     g       dried acai. The two most predominant ACNs found were
        ash                               3.8                     g       cyandin 3-glucoside and cyaniding 3-rutinoside, although their
        beta carotene                     <5.0                    IU      concentration was found to be lower than expected. For the first
        retinol                           1002                    IU      time, PACs were quantified and characterized in freeze-dried
                                  Sugar Profile                           acai, with the majority of them being polymers. A complete
        fructose                        0.4                       g
        lactose                         <0.1                      g
                                                                          analysis of fatty acids, sterols, amino acids, and other nutrients
        sucrose                         <0.1                      g       was also provided. The data obtained in the present study is
        glucose                         0.8                       g       crucially significant in advancing our understanding of the
        maltose                         0.1                       g       chemistry and therapeutic value of the Amazonian palm berry,
  a
                                                                          Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai).
      Dry weight.

                                                                          LITERATURE CITED
preserved in freeze-dried acai may exert certain health effects.
For instance, plant sterols have been found to have certain                 (1) Strudwick, J.; Sobel, G. L. Uses of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. in
anticancer properties (20). A recent paper indicates that proteins              the Amazon estuary. Braz. AdV. Econ. Bot. 1988, 6, 225-253.
in acai have inhibitory activity towards salivary R-amylase (21).           (2) Plotkin, M. J.; Balick, M. J. Medicine uses of South American
In this paper, we present the complete analysis of fatty acids,                 palms. J. Ethnopharm. 1984, 10, 157-179.
sterols, amino acids, and other nutrients. Analysis of fatty acid           (3) Lichtenthaler, R.; Rodrigues, R. B.; Maia, J. G. S.; Papagian-
                                                                                           ¨
composition revealed that the predominant fatty acid was oleic                  nopoulos, M.; Fabricius, H.; Marx, F. Total oxidant scavenging
acid (56.2%), followed by palmitic acid (24.1%) and linoleic                    capacities of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai) fruit. Int. J. Food
acid (12.5%). Total unsaturated fatty acid is 73.9% of all fatty                Sci. Nutr. 2005, 56, 53-64.
acids. This result is largely in accordance with a previous report          (4) Coısson, J. D.; Travaglia, F.; Piana, G.; Capasso, M.; Arlorio,
                                                                                   ¨
(22), though a more complete fatty acid composition was                         M. Euterpe oleraceae juice as functional pigment for yogurt.
provided in this study. Five sterols were also found in acai in                 Food Res. Int. 2005, 38, 847-853.
the paper mentioned above (22). However, β-sitosterol, campes-              (5) Hassimotto, N. M. A.; Genovese, M. I.; Lajolo, F. M. Antioxidant
terol, and sigmasterol were found in our study. Nineteen amino                  activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit
                                                                                pulps. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005, 53, 2928-2935.
acids were found in freeze-dried acai for the first time. The
                                                                            (6) Iaderoza, M.; Baldini, V. L. S.; Draetta, I. D. S.; Bovi, M. L. A.
total amino acid content is 7.59% of total weight. The nutrient
                                                                                Anthocyanins from fruits of acai (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) and
composition of acai has previously been summarized in a book                    jucara (Euterpe edulis Mart.). Trop. Sci. 1992, 32, 41-46.
written in Portuguese based on several early studies (23).                  (7) Bobbio, F. O.; Druzian, J. I.; Abrao, P. A.; Bobbio, P. A.; Fadelli,
Unfortunately, data from different studies have not always                      S. Identification and quantification of anthocyanins from the acai
agreed with each other. Besides, all the studies being sum-                     fruit (Euterpe oleracea) Mart. Cienc. Tecnol. Aliment. 2000, 20,
marized were conducted many years ago; two of them in the                       388-390.
1940s. Thus, we felt it might be useful to reanalyze the nutrient           (8) Gallori, S.; Bilia, A. R.; Bergonzi, M. C.; Barbosa, W. L. R.;
composition of acai. By adopting mostly AOAC procedures and                     Vincieri, F. F. Polyphenolic constituents of fruit pulp of Euterpe
new instrumentation, we tried to provide more accurate data                     oleraceae Mart. (acai palm). Chromatographia 2004, 59, 739-
compared with older data.                                                       743.
Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of Acai                                             J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006         8603

  (9) Polo-Insfran, D. D.; Brenes, C. H.; Talcott, S. T. Phytochemical       (17) Wu, X.; Beecher, G.; Holden, J.; Haytowitz, D.; Gebhardt, S.
      composition and pigment stability of acai (Euterpe oleraceae                E.; Prior, R. L. Concentration of anthocyanins in common foods
      Mart.). J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004, 52, 1539-1545.                           and estimation of normal consumption in the United States. J.
 (10) Wu, X.; Gu, L.; Prior, R. L.; McKay, S. Characterization of                 Agric. Food Chem. 2006, 54, 4069-4075.
      anthocyanins and proanthocyanins in some cultivars of Ribes,           (18) Jang, M. S.; Cai, E. N.; Udeani, G. O.; Slowing, K. V.; Thomas,
      Aronia and Sambucus and their antioxidant capacity. J. Agric.               C. F.; Beecher, C. W. W.; Fong, H. H. S. Cancer chemopre-
      Food Chem. 2004, 52, 7846-7856.                                             ventive activity of resveratrol, a natural product derived from
 (11) Wu, X.; Prior, R. L. Systematic identification and characterization         grapes. Science 1997, 275, 218-220.
      of anthocyanins by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS in common foods in the               (19) Ulrich, S.; Wolter, F.; Stein, J. M. Molecular mechanisms of
      United States: Fruits and berries. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005,               the chemopreventive effects of resveratrol and its analogs in
      53, 2589-2599.                                                              carcinogenesis. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2005, 49, 452-461.
 (12) Gu, L.; Kelm, M.; Hammerstone, J. F.; Beecher, G.; Cunningham,         (20) Awad, A. B.; Fink, C. S. Phytosterols as anticancer dietary
      D.; Vannozzi, S.; Prior, R. L. Fractionation of polymeric                   components: evidence and mechanism of action. Am. Soc. Nutr.
      procyanidins from lowbush blueberry and quantification of                   Sci. 2000, 130, 2127-2130.
      procyanidins in selected foods with an optimized normal-phase          (21) Araujo, C. L.; Bezerra, I. W. L.; Dantas, I. C.; Lima, T. V. S.;
                                                                                      ´
      HPLC-MS fluorescent detection method. J. Agric. Food Chem.                  Oliveira, A. S.; Miranda, M. R. R. A.; Leite, E. L.; Sales, M. P.
      2002, 50, 4852-4860.                                                        Biological activity of proteins from pulps of tropical fruits. Food
 (13) www.nsf-ina.org/methods/sterols.html.                                       Chem. 2004, 85, 107-110.
 (14) Horwitz, W., Ed. Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC                  (22) Lubrano, C.; Robin, J. R.; Khaiat, A. Fatty acids, sterol and
      International, 17th ed.; AOAC International: Gaithersburg, MD,              tocopherol composition of oil from the fruits mesocarp of six
      2000.                                                                       palm species in French Guiana. Oleagineux 1994, 49, 59-65.
                                                                                                                       ´
 (15) Reynolds, S. L.; Hudd, H. J. Rapid procedure for the determi-          (23) Rogez, H. Acai: Prepario, Composicao e Melhoramento de
      nation of vitamins A and D in fortified skimmed milk powder                 ConserVacao; Univerisidade Ferderal de Para: Belem, Brasil,
      using high-performance liquid chromatography. Analyst 1984,                 2000; p 158.
      109, 489-492.
 (16) Wu, X.; Beecher, G.; Holden, J.; Haytowitz, D.; Gebhardt, S.          Received for review April 6, 2006. Revised manuscript received July
      E.; Prior, R. L. Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities    4, 2006. Accepted September 5, 2006.
      of common foods in the U.S. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004, 52,
      4026-4037.                                                            JF060976G

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1 phytochemical and-nutrient-composition-of-the-freeze-dried-amazonian-palm-berry-acai

  • 1. 8598 J. Agric. Food Chem. 2006, 54, 8598−8603 Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai) ALEXANDER G. SCHAUSS,*,† XIANLI WU,‡,§ RONALD L. PRIOR,‡ BOXIN OU,⊥ DINESH PATEL,| DEJIAN HUANG,3 AND JAMES P. KABABICK# Natural and Medicinal Products Research, AIMBR Life Sciences, 4117 South Meridian, Puyallup, Washington 98373, Agriculture Research Service, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1120 Marshall Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, Brunswick Laboratories, 6 Thatcher Lane, Wareham, Massachusetts 02571, Integrated Biomolecule Corporation, 2005 E. Innovation Park Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85755, Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore, and Flora Research, 32158 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675 Euterpe oleraceae is a large palm tree indigenous to the Amazon River and its tributaries and estuaries in South America. Its fruit, known as acai, is of great economic value to native people. In this study, a standardized freeze-dried acai fruit pulp/skin powder was used for all analyses and tests. Among many findings, anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and other flavonoids were found to be the major phytochemicals. Two ACNs, cyandin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were found to be predominant ACNs; three others were also found as minor ACNs. The total content of ACNs was measured as 3.1919 mg/g dry weight (DW). Polymers were found to be the major PACs. The concentration of total PACs was calculated as 12.89 mg/g DW. Other flavonoids, namely, homoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, scoparin, and taxifolin deoxyhexose, along with several unknown flavonoids, were also detected. Resveratrol was found but at a very low concentration. In addition, components including fatty acids, amino acids, sterols, minerals, and other nutrients were analyzed and quantified. Total polyunsaturated fatty acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid, and total saturated fatty acids contributed to 11.1%, 60.2%, and 28.7% of total fatty acid. Oleic acid (53.9%) and palmitic acid (26.7%) were found to be the two dominant fatty acids. Nineteen amino acids were found; the total amino acid content was determined to be 7.59% of total weight. The total sterols accounted for 0.048% by weight of powder. The three sterols B-sitosterol, campesterol, and sigmasterol were identified. A complete nutrient analysis is also presented. Microbiological analysis was also performed. KEYWORDS: Euterpe oleraceae; acai; anthocyanin; proanthocyanidin; flavonoid; resveratrol; nutrient; sterol; fatty acid; amino acid; microbiological test; shelf life INTRODUCTION Colombia, and Suriname (1). A juice prepared from the fruit, popularly called “acai” in Brazil, is consumed in a variety of Euterpe oleraceae Martius is a large palm tree indigenous to beverages and food preparations. In addition to its economic South America. It grows abundantly in the Amazon estuary and value, different parts of Euterpe oleraceae were used as folk on floodplains, in swamps, and in upland regions. Also known as the Cabbage palm, Euterpe oleraceae bears a dark purple, medicine by native people. For example, the fruit furnishes a berry-like fruit, clustered into bunches, that serves as a major dark green oil used in rural medicine, principally as an food source for native and lower class people of Brazil, antidiarrheal agent (2). Recently, much attention has been paid to the antioxidant capacity of its fruit (also called acai) and its possible role as a “functional food” or food ingredient (3-5). * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: alex@aibmr.com. Phone: 253-286-2888. Fax: 253-286-2451. However, the knowledge of its phytochemical and nutrient † AIMBR Life Sciences. composition is still very limited, which put its health claims ‡ U.S. Department of Agriculture. § University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. and possible role as a “functional food” in question. ⊥ Brunswick Laboratories. | Integrated Biomolecule Corporation. Some anthocyanins (ACNs) and several other flavonoids have 3 National University of Singapore. been reported in acai (6-9). Regarded as predominant phy- # Flora Research. tochemicals in acai, ACNs were believed to be the major 10.1021/jf060976g CCC: $33.50 © 2006 American Chemical Society Published on Web 10/07/2006
  • 2. Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of Acai J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006 8599 compounds that contributed to the overall antioxidant capacity the experimental conditions were kept the same except that the (9). But the contribution of the anthocyanins to the overall ionization was changed from positive mode to negative mode. antioxidant capacities of the fruit were estimated to be only Proanthocyanidin Analysis. Freeze-dried acai powder (5 g) was approximately 10%, which suggested that compounds that have extracted with solvent containing acetone, water, and acetic acid (70: 29.5:0.5, v/v, AWA). This solution was further fractioned by Sephadex yet to be identified are the major antioxidants in acai (3). Except LH-20 for proanthocyanidin analysis following the published method for dietary antioxidants, other components and nutrient com- (12) for proanthocyanidin analysis. position are also very important when we try to evaluate the Chromatographic analyses were performed on an HP 1100 series possible role of acai as a “functional food”. However, our HPLC (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA) equipped with an autosampler/ knowledge of these is still not complete. In this paper, another injector, DAD, fluorescence detector (FLD), which was also coupled major objective was to provide information about other com- with an LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an API chamber, ponents, as well as report on a more complete profile of its and an ESI source. Normal phase separation of proanthocyanidins was nutrient composition than reported by others to date. performed on a 3.0 mm × 150 mm, 5.0 µm, Luna Silica column Last, microbiological and heavy metal analyses were per- (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA). Elution was performed using mobile formed in an attempt to provide additional information related phase A (dichloromethane/methanol/water/acetic acid; 82:14:2:2, v/v) to safety issues of freeze-dried acai. and mobile phase B (methanol/water/acetic acid; 96:2:2, v/v). The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min, and detection was set using FLD with excitation at 276 nm and emission at 316 nm. Gradient is described as follows: MATERIALS AND METHODS 0-17.6% B, 0-30 min; 17.6-30.7% B, 30-45 min; 30.7-87.8% B, Plant Material. Freeze-dried acai (Euterpe oleracea) was obtained 45-50 min. The proanthocyanidins were confirmed by their chromato- from K2A LLC (OptiAcai, Provo, Utah). Prior to freeze drying, the graphic patterns and the molecular weights obtained by FLD and MS berries were obtained immediately within the harvesting areas in the detector, respectively. Amazon delta estuaries within kilometers of the freeze-drying facility Resveratrol Analysis. A freeze-dried acai sample (1 g) was extracted in Belem, Brazil. Within hours of harvesting, acai berries were frozen with 20 mL of methanol. After the extract was centrifuged at 14 000 and stored at -20 °C until transferred for freeze drying. The freeze- rpm at 4 °C for 5 min, the supernatant was used for resveratrol analysis. dried acai powder was kept at -20 °C until analyzed. The analysis was carried out in a HP 1100 HPLC equipped with diode Chemicals and Standards. Phytochemical Analysis. Standards of array detector and a Phenomenex Luna phenyl-hexyl column (250 3-O-β-glucosides of pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, mm × 4.6 mm) with prefilter. Elution was performed using mobile petunidin, and malvidin (six mixed anthocyanin standard, HPLC grade) phase A (water/acetonitrile/acetic acid; 89:9:2, v/v) and mobile phase were obtained from Polyphenols Laboratories (Sandnes, Norway). B (acetonitrile/water; 80:20, v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and Resveratrol standard was purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, MO). detection was set up at 280 nm using the DAD. The gradient is Formic acid was purchased from Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Methanol, described as follows: 0% B, 0-10 min; 0-40% B, 10-25 min; 40- acetonitrile, methylene chloride, and acetic acid (HPLC grade) were 100% B, 25-32 min; 100% B, 32-35 min. from Fisher (Fair Lawn, NJ). Sephadex LH-20 is product of Sigma Sterol Analysis. Quantitative analysis of sterols in acai freeze-dried (St. Louis, MO). powder was carried out in a Varian 3400cx gas chromatograph with a QuantitatiVe Analysis of Sterols. Sterol standards were purchased DB-5ms column (Varian, Palo Alto, CA) based on INA sterol method from Sigma (St. Louis, MO). Hydrochloric acid, methanol, and other 109.001 (13). reagents were obtained from Fisher (Fair Lawn, NJ). Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, and Nutrient Analysis. Fat was Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, and Nutrient Analysis. Standards of fatty determined by the AOAC method (AOAC 933.05) (14). Fatty acids acids were obtained from Nu-Check Prep (Elysian, MN). O-Phthalde- were analyzed based on the AOAC method (AOAC 969.33) (14). hyde was from Anresco (San Francisco, CA); amino acid standard Analysis was carried out in an HP 5890 series 2 GC (Hewlett-Packard, solution (2.5 µmol/mL), Brij 35 solution (30%, w/w), 2-mercaptoethanol Palo Alto, CA) with a Supelco ST-2560 column (Supelco, Inc., (2-hydroxyethylmercaptan), L-norleucine, and ethylenediaminetetraace- Bellefonte, PA). Cholesterol was tested in a HP 5890 series 2 GC tic acid (EDTA) tetrasodium salt (dydrate) were from Sigma (St. Louis, (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA) using an AOAC method (AOAC MO). Potassium hydroxide (pellets), sodium hydroxide (pellets), 994.10) (14). hydrocholoric acid (6 N volumetric solution), and boric acid were from Protein was determined based on an AOAC method (AOAC 991.20) Chempure (Bolivar, OH). Vitamins A, C, E, D, B1, B2, B3, B6, and (14), and the measurement was conducted in a Kjeltc 2400 autosampler B12, glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, folic acid, pantothenic unit (Rose Scientific Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, CA). Amino acids were acid, biotin, and inositol were from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). obtained by hydrolysis from protein by 6 N HCl and then analyzed by Elemental ion solutions were from Absolute Standards (Hamden, CT). ion-exchange chromatography. O-Phthaldehyde is used for postcolumn Microbiological Analysis. Lactose broth for aerobic organism derivation. Analysis was carried out in Waters Alliance 2690 HPLC culturing was from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO); reinforced clostrid- equipped with Waters fluoroscence detector 474 (Waters Corporation, ial agar for anaerobic organism culturing and enumeration was from Milford, MA). A Hitachi L-7100 pump (Hitachi High Technologies EM Science (Gibbstown, NJ). Petrifilm enumeration plates were from America, San Jose, CA) was used for postcolumn derivation. An 3M Microbiology Products (St. Paul, MN). interaction AA511 cation-exchange column (Pierce Biotechnology, Analysis of Anthocyanin and Other Flavonoids. Sample prepara- Rockford, IL) with guard column was used to separate amino acids. tion of anthocyanin and other flavonoid analysis followed the method Elution was performed using mobile phase, and the detection was set reported previously (10). at excitation 358 nm and emission 425 nm. Chromatographic analyses were performed on an HP 1100 series Analysis of minerals was performed in a Perkin-Elmer ICP Optima HPLC (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA) equipped with an autosampler/ 4300 DV ICP-OES system (Perkin-Elmer Life And Analytical Sciences injector and diode array detector (DAD). A 4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5.0 Inc., Wellesley, MA) according to the AOAC method (AOAC 984.27) µm, Zorbax Stablebond analytical SB-C18 column (Agilent Technolo- (14). Measurements of vitamin C (AOAC 967.22) (14), sugars (AOAC gies, Rising Sun, MD) was used for separation. Elution was performed 980.13) (14), moisture (AOAC 926.08) (14), and ash (AOAC 945.46) with mobile phase A (5% formic acid aqueous solution) and mobile (14) were all based on AOAC methods. Heavy metal ion analysis was phase B (methanol) using the gradient protocol previously decribed performed by an Agilent HP-7500a ICP-MS (Agilent Technologies, (10). Low-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry was performed Palo Alto, CA) on a 5% HNO3 digested solution of elemental species with an Esquire 3000 ion trap mass spectrometer (MS) (Bruker (1000 mg/100 mL). Analysis of retinol was based on a published Daltoniks, Billerica, MA). The experimental conditions were the same method (15). as previously described (10). Anthocyanin identification was determined Microbiological and Heavy Metal Analysis. Employing aseptic following previous research (11). Quantification of anthocyanin fol- techniques, we placed samples of freeze-dried acai in a sterile glass lowed the procedure reported before (10). For other flavonoid analysis, homogenizer tube with 5 mL of sterile water. Using a sterile
  • 3. 8600 J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006 Schauss et al. Table 1. Identification and Concentration of Anthocyanins and Other Flavonoinds in Freeze-Dried Acai peak tR MS MS/MS content no. (min) (m/z) (m/z) compounds (mg/g DWa) Anthocyanins 1 25.6 581 287 cyanidin 3-sambubioside 0.04 2 26.7 449 287 cyanidin 3-glucoside 1.17 3 29.4 595 449/287 cyanidin 3-rutinoside 1.93 4 33.9 c c peonidin 3-glucoside 0.02 5 36.6 609 463/301 peonidin 3-rutinoside 0.04 total 3.19 Other Flavonoids 6 22.4 689 671/609/489/369 unknown b 7 26.1 673 655/593/503/353 unknown b 8 27.5 391 289/221/143 unknown b 9 29.7 413 369/311/125 unknown b 10 30.2 449 327/269/151 unknown b 11 32.0 447 393/357/327 homoorientin b 12 32.4 373 341 unknown b Figure 1. Reverse phase HPLC chromatograms of freeze-dried acai 13 33.9 447 429/357/327/285 orientin b detected at 520 nm (A) and 360 nm (B). Peak identification and their MS 14 36.2 431 341/311/283 unknown b 15 39.1 449 269/151 taxifolin deoxyhexose b data are shown in Table 1. 16 41.8 431 341/311/283 isovitexin b 17 43.1 461 407/371/341/309/231 scoparin b homogenizer beater, we crushed the berries to a pulp. Aliquots (1 mL) of the crushed berry pulp were placed into sterile lactose broth solutions a Dry weight. b Not available. c Not determined. and sterile reinforced clostridial agar solutions. The inoculated broth and agar solutions were incubated for 24 h at 37 °C under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Following incubation, samples (1 mL) were plated onto growth-selective Petrifilm plates and spread in accordance with the supplier’s instructions. Plates were subjected to incubation in accordance with the supplier’s instruction. Enumeration was performed under a low powered (3×) light microscope with a hand held colony counter. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Identification and Quantification of Anthocyanins and Other Flavonoids. Five ACNs were identified from freeze- dried acai (Figure 1A). Of them, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were found to be the predominant ACNs. Three minor ACNs, cyanidin 3-sambubioside, peonidin 3-glu- coside, and peonidin 3-rutinoside, were also identified from acai. Among these minor ACNs, cyanidin 3-sambubioside and peonidin 3-glucoside were identified from acai for the first time. The MS spectral data and content of individual ACNs are presented in Table 1. Like other berries rich in ACNs showing high antioxidant capacity (16), ACNs were believed to be the major antioxidant in freeze-dried acai. Nevertheless, freeze-dried acai was found to contain two major anthocyanins and their contents are much lower compared with that in most other berries (17). In this study, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were found to be the major ACNs in freeze-dried acai, which agree with three previous reports (3, 6, 8). Three minor ACNs, namely, cyanidin 3-sambubioside, peonidin 3-glucoside, and peonidin 3-rutinoside, were detected in freeze-dried acai. But our results were not in accordance with two recent papers. In one of them (7), cyanidin 3-arabinoside and cyanidin 3-arabinosylarabinoside were identified as predominant ACNs, whereas in the other paper (9), only cyanidin 3-glucoside was found to be the predominant ACN, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside was identified Figure 2. Chemical structures of anthocyanins in freeze-dried acai. as a minor ACN. Considering the significant difference of these content in freeze-dried acai was 3.19 mg/g DW. It turned out ACN profiles of the plant materials, the results reported by these to be lower than most other dark colored berries such as two papers (7, 9) have to be questioned. They were probably blueberries, blackberries, or cranberries (17). fruits either from other palm trees or other palm fruit varieties, Chemical structures of these ACNs are presented in Figure rather than Euterpe oleraceae Mart. Thus, it is possible that in 2. Twelve other flavonoid-like compounds were also detected future study of acai, the ACN profile may be used as an in acai (Figure 1B); five of them were identified as homoori- alternative way to determine the plant materials. The total ACN entin, orientin, taxifolin deoxyhexose, isovitexin, and scoparin
  • 4. Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of Acai J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006 8601 Table 3. Fatty Acids in Freeze-Dried Acai fatty acids formula content (%) Saturated Fatty Acids butynic 4:0 <0.1 caproic 6:0 <0.1 caprylic 8:0 <0.1 capric 10:0 <0.1 undecanoic 11:0 <0.1 lauric 12:0 0.1 tridecanoic 13:0 <0.1 myristic 14:0 0.2 pentadecanoic 15:0 <0.1 palmitic 16:0 24.1 margaric 17:0 0.1 stearic 18:0 1.6 nonadecanoic 19:0 <0.1 Figure 3. Normal phase HPLC chromatograms of freeze-dried acai eicosanoic 20:0 <0.1 detected by FLD with excitation at 276 nm and emission at 316 nm. behenic 22:0 <0.1 tricosanoic 23:0 <0.1 Table 2. Content of Proanthocyanidins in Freeze-Dried Acai lignoceric 24:0 <0.1 total 26.1 proanthocyanidins content (mg/g, DWa) Monounsaturated Fatty Acids monomers 0.21 tridecenoic 13:1 <0.1 dimers 0.30 myristoleic 14:1 <0.1 trimers 0.25 pentadecenoic 15:1 <0.1 tetramers 0.32 palmitoleic 16:1 4.3 pentamers 0.31 margaroleic 17:1 0.1 hexamers 0.52 oleic 18:1C 56.2 hepamers 0.32 elaidic 18:1T <0.1 octamers 0.39 gadoleic 20:1 <0.1 nonamers 0.64 erucic 22:1 <0.1 decamers 0.34 nervonic 24:1 <0.1 polymers 9.28 total 60.6 total 12.89 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids linoleic 18:2 12.5 a Dry weight. linolenic 18:3 0.8 gamma linolenic 18:3G <0.1 eicosadienoic 20:2 <0.1 by comparing their MS data with that from a published paper eicosatrienoic 20:3 <0.1 (8) (Table 2). However, quantification of these compounds homogamma linolenic 20:3G <0.1 failed due to lack of standards. arachidonic 20:4 <0.1 eicosapentaenoic 20:5 <0.1 Characterization and Quantification of Proanthocyani- docosadienoic 22:2 <0.1 dins. Proanthocyanidins (PACs) were found in acai as another docosahexaenoic 22:6 <0.1 group of polyphenolic compounds (3). In this study, proantho- total 13.3 cyanidins were completely characterized and quantified in freeze-dried acai for the first time. Freeze-dried acai was found to contain monomers (epicatechin and catechin) and B type Table 4. Analysis of Amino Acids from Freeze-Dried Acai. procyanidins from dimers to polymers, and polymers were found to be the major PACs in freeze-dried acai (Figure 3). The amino acids result (%) content of each group of proanthocyanidins is summarized in aspartic acid 0.83 Table 2. Significantly, the profile of proanthocyanidins in threonine 0.31 freeze-dried acai is very similar to that of the blueberry (12). serine 0.32 glutamic acid 0.80 Proanthocyanidins have been found in most berries and have glycine 0.39 been found to possess strong antioxidant capacity, so they may alanine 0.46 contribute, at least partly, to overall in Vitro antioxidant capacity. valine 0.51 But being molecular compounds, in what forms they are methionine 0.12 isoleucine 0.38 absorbed or metabolized remains largely unknown. Therefore, leucine 0.65 their in ViVo capacity as dietary antioxidants is still open to tyrosine 0.29 question. phenylalanine 0.43 Identification of Resveratrol. Resveratrol has been found lysine 0.66 histidine 0.17 primarily in grape skin and reported to exhibit chemopreventive arginine 0.42 properties against cancer (18, 19). Freeze-dried acai contained proline 0.53 trans-resveratrol. However, the concentration is only 1.1 µg/g, hydroxyproline <0.01 which is probably too low to show actual chemopreventive cystine 0.18 tryptophan 0.13 effects, although this too remains an open question. Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, Sterols, and Nutrient Analysis. total 7.59 Fatty acids, amino acids, sterols, heavy metal analysis, and a complete nutrient analysis of freeze-dried acai are reported in are evaluated, the composition of other components and nutrients Tables 3-6, respectively. When the health benefits of a food except for phytochemicals are analyzed. Nutrients
  • 5. 8602 J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 54, No. 22, 2006 Schauss et al. Table 5. Sterols in Freeze-Dried Acai Table 7. Microbiological and Heavy Metal Analysis of Freeze-Dried Acai concentration sterols (mg/g DWa) analyte result unit β-sitosterol 0.44 Escherichia coli/coliform <1 cfu/g campesterol <0.03 (AOAC 991.14) sigmasterol 0.04 Salmonella (AOAC 989.13) - ve +/- total 0.48 Staphylococcus aureus <1 cfu/g (AOAC 2000.15) a yeast and mold (AOAC 997.02) a cfu/g Dry weight. total aerobic (AOAC 990.12) 51600 cfu/g Heavy Metals Table 6. Nutrient Analysis of Freeze-Dried Acai lead 36.77 ppb arsenic 9.51 ppb unit per cadmium 9.41 ppb anayltes result 100 g DWa mercury 1.58 ppb Label Analytes calories 533.9 a Too numerous to count. calories from fat 292.6 total fat 32.5 g saturated fat 8.1 g Microbiological and Heavy Metal Analysis. Microbiological cholesterol 13.5 Mg and heavy metal analysis of freeze-dried acai is presented in sodium 30.4 Mg Table 7. This information is highly related to safety and stability total carbohydrate 52.2 g dietary fiber 44.2 g issues, and we hope this will be of help to those who are sugars 1.3 g interested in developing products from acai. protein (F ) 6.25) 8.1 g vitamin A 1002 IU Conclusion. The phytochemical and nutrient composition vitamin C <0.1 Mg of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. has been investigated in this study. calcium 260.0 Mg Anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and other iron 4.4 Mg flavonoids were found to be the major phytochemicals in freeze- Contributing Analytes moisture 3.4 g dried acai. The two most predominant ACNs found were ash 3.8 g cyandin 3-glucoside and cyaniding 3-rutinoside, although their beta carotene <5.0 IU concentration was found to be lower than expected. For the first retinol 1002 IU time, PACs were quantified and characterized in freeze-dried Sugar Profile acai, with the majority of them being polymers. A complete fructose 0.4 g lactose <0.1 g analysis of fatty acids, sterols, amino acids, and other nutrients sucrose <0.1 g was also provided. The data obtained in the present study is glucose 0.8 g crucially significant in advancing our understanding of the maltose 0.1 g chemistry and therapeutic value of the Amazonian palm berry, a Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai). Dry weight. LITERATURE CITED preserved in freeze-dried acai may exert certain health effects. For instance, plant sterols have been found to have certain (1) Strudwick, J.; Sobel, G. L. Uses of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. in anticancer properties (20). A recent paper indicates that proteins the Amazon estuary. Braz. AdV. Econ. Bot. 1988, 6, 225-253. in acai have inhibitory activity towards salivary R-amylase (21). (2) Plotkin, M. J.; Balick, M. J. Medicine uses of South American In this paper, we present the complete analysis of fatty acids, palms. J. Ethnopharm. 1984, 10, 157-179. sterols, amino acids, and other nutrients. Analysis of fatty acid (3) Lichtenthaler, R.; Rodrigues, R. B.; Maia, J. G. S.; Papagian- ¨ composition revealed that the predominant fatty acid was oleic nopoulos, M.; Fabricius, H.; Marx, F. Total oxidant scavenging acid (56.2%), followed by palmitic acid (24.1%) and linoleic capacities of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai) fruit. Int. J. Food acid (12.5%). Total unsaturated fatty acid is 73.9% of all fatty Sci. Nutr. 2005, 56, 53-64. acids. This result is largely in accordance with a previous report (4) Coısson, J. D.; Travaglia, F.; Piana, G.; Capasso, M.; Arlorio, ¨ (22), though a more complete fatty acid composition was M. Euterpe oleraceae juice as functional pigment for yogurt. provided in this study. Five sterols were also found in acai in Food Res. Int. 2005, 38, 847-853. the paper mentioned above (22). However, β-sitosterol, campes- (5) Hassimotto, N. M. A.; Genovese, M. I.; Lajolo, F. M. Antioxidant terol, and sigmasterol were found in our study. Nineteen amino activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit pulps. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005, 53, 2928-2935. acids were found in freeze-dried acai for the first time. The (6) Iaderoza, M.; Baldini, V. L. S.; Draetta, I. D. S.; Bovi, M. L. A. total amino acid content is 7.59% of total weight. The nutrient Anthocyanins from fruits of acai (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) and composition of acai has previously been summarized in a book jucara (Euterpe edulis Mart.). Trop. Sci. 1992, 32, 41-46. written in Portuguese based on several early studies (23). (7) Bobbio, F. O.; Druzian, J. I.; Abrao, P. A.; Bobbio, P. A.; Fadelli, Unfortunately, data from different studies have not always S. Identification and quantification of anthocyanins from the acai agreed with each other. Besides, all the studies being sum- fruit (Euterpe oleracea) Mart. Cienc. Tecnol. Aliment. 2000, 20, marized were conducted many years ago; two of them in the 388-390. 1940s. Thus, we felt it might be useful to reanalyze the nutrient (8) Gallori, S.; Bilia, A. R.; Bergonzi, M. C.; Barbosa, W. L. R.; composition of acai. By adopting mostly AOAC procedures and Vincieri, F. F. Polyphenolic constituents of fruit pulp of Euterpe new instrumentation, we tried to provide more accurate data oleraceae Mart. (acai palm). Chromatographia 2004, 59, 739- compared with older data. 743.
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